Diatomaceous Earth on the Farm

Diatomaceous Earth has wide ranging applications on the farm and lifestyle block. Aside from the separately described applications for orchards, the home and other uses, it can be helpful in a multitude of other agricultural areas.

Spread liberally in places where insect discouragement is required - Its presence will dry wet spots, reduce the ability for insects to breed and lay eggs and reduce odour in manure build-up areas and reduce fly populations. Actively discouraging flies, fleas, ticks and mites in these areas will make your environment cleaner and improve conditions.

In between bedding replacements sprinkle DE in areas requiring attention, wet spots, dirty areas and smelly spots. Keep a large shaker applicator on hand to make for easy application.

In water troughs apply a small amount of DE to troughs and other livestock water vessels. It will help to reduce algal growth in these containers and assist to keep them cleaner, nicer, longer.

Wasp nests can be easily disabled leading to their eventual demise by hitting them with a couple of large shakes from a shaker directly onto the face of the nest. Any surface wasps will become coated in DE, wasps entering or leaving the nest will become un-avoidably contaminated with DE which will ultimately kill them. The population will contract, the hive will no longer be serviced which will result in its self destruction.

Ant trails and nests can be similarly coated in DE which will immediately result in their change of direction and re-location from the area. Severe infestations may require a number of applications.

Cattle / Sheep / Goats / Pigs / Alpacas / Horses

Supplementary feed at a rate of 2kg per 100kg of feed or 50 – 100 grams per animal per day. Feed ad-lib in containers livestock can access to help themselves to required amounts of DE. Studies overseas have concluded that they consume approximately the same amount as the RDA anyway.

If supplementary feeding, remove 2kg of feed for every 100kg of supplementary feed and replace with DE. Blend and feed, supplementary meals should flow and pour better due to the anti-caking properties of DE.

Diatomaceous Earth has a multitude of helpful and practical uses in a farming situation - these are well
documented on overseas websites. www.denz.co.nz Limited cannot vouch for
the authenticity or factual basis for these uses and suggest that
customers assess their suitability for themselves.

Unfortunately, in New Zealand due to
the ACVM Act (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines
legislation) we are unable to claim the majority of these uses - technically.
The ACVM has re-classified our natural and organic Diatomaceous Earth
as a Veterinary Medicine - something of and irony in itself!
Consequentially we have no alternative but to work through the complex
and expensive process to register it as such. Pending registration we
have been legally bound to remove meaningful applications and
information from our website until registration is granted. As a result
we apologize for the lack of constructive detail in this section of our website. We
would be grateful for your patience as we hope to have a resolution to
this situation in the coming months.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture microscopically examined the internal organs of a dairy cow fed “free access choice DE for a period of five years and found no visible evidence of organ abnormalities”.

University of Illinois referring to tests run on dairy cattle fed 2% of Fossil Shell Flour in their rations stated there was no apparent harmful effect and that there was no evidence of FSF in the milk.

David Crosby, owner of Crosby Critters Boer Meat Goats, Tijeras, New Mexico. Has fed Fossil Shell Flour to all his animals for over 10 years now.

“We began feeding DE with the Alfalfa pellets and sweet feed and observed that they (the goats) gobbled it up as if it was sugar! They would lay in it (in the large feed pans) and roll and lick every last but from the pan. During the next six weeks I noticed their coats were slick and shiny and the feed is so efficient. This is the most exciting thing in animal care I have ever seen. It is the only thing that could have made the difference”.

Chickens / Ducks / Pheasants / Fowl

Replace 5% of feed stockpiles with DE and blend prior to feeding out grains and manufactured feeds to protect feeds from insect infestation. Grains and feeds should flow better due to the anti-caking properties of DE.

DE internally fed and resulting build up in manure piles will reduce fly populations down and reduces odour considerably providing a more pleasant environment.

Commercial chicken operators should experience some or all of the following benefits –

Decreased mortality and sickness

Harder egg shells and reduced breakage, the silica content in DE strengthens the shells.

Increased egg production through less deaths and longer lay periods

Better feed conversion, feed less, healthier birds generally

Fly loads in buildings will reduce significantly

Litter bugs will reduce considerably

Improved environment overall

Dr Philip Schaible, while heading the Department of Poultry Sciences at Michigan State University made the following report:

“Contains 15 trace minerals important to animal diets. DE mixes well with all feeds while guarding against insect damage.

Dr CS Hansen, DVM (now retired). Working with 8,000 chickens kept half on a regular diet and other other half he added Fossil Shell Flour to their diet. The Fossil Shell Flour group had a lower death rate, egg production went way up and egg breakage went way down.

What our customers say

"Fenix, our 30 year old plus horse was looking pretty rundown/old and seemed like she was on her last days really. We decided to use DE in her daily feed and the results are absolutely fabulous. She looks great! In 1 - 2 weeks she has put on weight, her hooves are strong and healthy, her coat is shiny and her energy levels are well up. She looks amazing.